REGULAR MEETING APRIL 6, 2004:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Ron Justice, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Assistant City Manager Jeff Mikorski, City Attorney Steve Fanok and Council Members Ron Bane, Jim Manilla, Frank Scafella, Teresa Miller, Bill Byrne, Don Spencer.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on March 16, 2004, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice read an Arbor Day Proclamation and paraphrased letters from Delegate Frich, a Tree Board invitation, and Senator Byrd. Mayor Justice spoke about the North Elementary second-grade journalists and their mock press conference on litter and welcomed a Journalism 215 class.
PUBLIC HEARING-THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN'S PROJECT PLAN FOR ISSUANCE OF TAX INCREMENT REVENUE OBLIGATIONS RIVERFRONT PROJECT NO. 1(PARKING FACILITY AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS).:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Justice called for a public hearing on the above referenced Ordinance.
Milton Cohen, 1060 Ross Street, spoke against the entire TIF process and bond issue.
There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this hearing closed.
Mayor Justice asked Vince Collins if it will cost the city anything and to explain the private TIF aspect.
Vince Collins, Steptoe and Johnson, explained there will be no direct payments from the city and the risk factor for the bonds will be 7 or 8%.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN'S PROJECT PLAN FOR ISSUANCE OF TAX INCREMENT REVENUE OBLIGATIONS RIVERFRONT PROJECT NO. 1(PARKING FACILITY AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS):The above entitled project plan was presented for Council's approval:
The rules were suspended to allow Vince Collins to answer questions from Council.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to adopt the above entitled project plan. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Mayor Justice noted the Citizens' Advisory Committee is requesting some direction from Council on neighborhood type issues.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Sam Wilkinson, 131 Hoffman Avenue, commented on fairness of parking tickets and church goers.
Phil Shuman, 250 Kingwood Street, spoke about the liquor license ordinance and restaurants.
Milton Cohen, 1060 Ross Street, spoke against the plans for the Riverfront Project No.1.
There being no more appearances, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.
Mayor Justice announced a brief recess at 8:30 p.m. City Council reconvened at 8:40 p.m.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor Justice covered the ribbon cutting for the new Visitor Center of the Convention & Visitors' Bureau and Main Street Morgantown tomorrow morning.
NEW BUSINESS:
A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF MORGANTOWN HEREBY AUTHORIZES MR. DAN BOROFF, CITY MANAGER, TO ACT ON ITS BEHALF TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR AND UPON AWARD ENTER INTO A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND HIGHWAY SAFETY DIVISION TO RECEIVE AND ADMINISTER GRANT FUNDS PURSUANT TO PROVISIONS OF THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.
Motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to approve the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND THE MONONGALIA COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT : The following entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN ('LESSOR') AND THE MONONGALIA COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ('LESSEE') REGARDING THE RENTAL OF OFFICE SPACE AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE ANNULLING A TWELVE FOOT WIDE UNNAMED ALLEY FROM HARDING AVENUE TO UNNAMED ALLEY IN THE 7TH WARD: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE VACATING, ABANDONING AND ANNULLING A TWELVE FOOT WIDE UNNAMED ALLEY RUNNING A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED FEET FROM HARDING AVENUE TO AN UNNAMED ALLEY IN THE SEVENTH WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, NOT USED NOR USEFUL FOR STREET PURPOSES.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Miller, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1:
The City has recently received its renewal premium for property and general liability insurance. Adopted budget documents funded an 8% increase. The actual renewal increase is 23% (existing premium $342,036/new premium $421,976). One significant claim that was settled and numerous small claims filed but not justified are principally responsible for this increase. To fund this cost the contingency line in next year's General Fund budget will be decreased by $32,000 placing it at .009% of the General Fund.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No. 1:
Attached you will find a memo from the Public Works Director reporting bid results for asphalt to support this year's paving program. I agree with the Director's comments and recommend that the contract be awarded to Greer Asphalt for a cost of $120,733.
Motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to award the asphalt contract to Greer Asphalt for $120,733. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 2:
Attached you will find a proposed, amended five year capital improvement plan for the Airport (reschedules construction of the service road on the east side of the main runway). Given pending economic development opportunities in that area, I recommend that the new schedule be adopted.
Motion by Spencer, second by Bane to adopt the amended five year capital improvement plan for the Airport. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 3:
The second attachment is a memo from Commercial Services describing proposed changes in the City's Health Insurance Program (increased deductibles and co-payments for out of network medical services). Based upon the escalating costs of health insurance, I recommend that the changes be authorized.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Manilla to approve the increase as recommended. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
City Clerk Little mentioned the pepperoni roll sale.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (Roll Reversal):
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer discussed river trash, other trash problems, heat sensitive cameras, April COW items, and requested the status of Chamber modifications, Site Plan Review requirements, Police and Fire study, and the Block Grant and its proposals.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne commented on parking policy for religious services and managing downtown alcohol rules.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller noted the Planning Commission cannot require a sign like Mr. Shuman brought in.
City Attorney Fanok commented on changing the ordinance.
Councilor Miller argued against closing the North Side Fire Station and has enjoyed not getting calls about cinders.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella wondered about putting nets across creek mouths for river trash; about a complaint about parking on Melrose Alley; noted trash is a city-wide problem with the students.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla requested non-essential road work not be done during busy hours until school is out, possibly having the ABCC deputize some police officers and put pressure on the legislature; noted Walnut Street trash on weekend.
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane observed the ditch on Dorsey Avenue at Hite bad again; thanked Bill Rumble for helping with a tree; and remarked on early pickup and trash problems.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice suggested a letter to Commissioner Bell about serving on a river trash committee; noted the Parking Authority is cleaning the Walnut Street sidewalk and people putting trash bags there on weekends need cited; urged that "Jambie" be at the COW; reminded of Arbor Day and ribbon-cutting events; discussed church parking problems on Darst Street and a proposed James Street sidewalk.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at
9:25 p.m.
_____________________________ __________________________________
City Clerk Mayor
*A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY.